Hon. Yaya Menteng Sanyang, the National Assembly Member representing Latrikunda Sabiji and a senior member of the Unite Movement for Change (UMC), has denied any wrongdoing following police questioning over allegations involving voter registration.
Hon. Sanyang maintains his innocence and stated that he has not been charged by the police; he was speaking at a press conference yesterday at the UMC Fajara headquarters.
Hon. Sanyang stated that he was invited by the police after some of the United Democratic Party (UDP) made a complaint to the police relating to some birth certificates. He indicated that the motivation was political, arising from competition within political circles to his increasing popularity within his constituency.
He said that he cooperated with police investigations when he was at the police station and that he would not allow detractors to discourage him from serving the best interests of his constituents.
“I will continue to facilitate the registration of Gambians who possess valid, legally approved documents so they can exercise their right to vote in the 2026 presidential election. I do not dictate where people should cast their ballots—that is their sovereign choice,” he stated.
He said that he recently helped some people at a voter outreach in Abuko, including some supporters of the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), and that he was not there for his own political advantage.
Hon. Sanyang expressed admiration for his party’s supporters who gathered at the police station during the time of his interrogation in solidarity with him. He noted that their presence was an indication of his party’s stance on unity.
“After a few hours at the police station, I walked out to find thousands of supporters gathered. It gave real meaning to our ‘stand together’ slogan,” he said.
Hon. Sanyang denied any involvement in the issuance of birth certificates. He commended his lawyer Aziz Bensouda for his fearlessness while he was being interrogated by the police, stating that he is one of the best lawyers in the country.
“I have never procured a birth certificate, worked in a production center, visited one, signed any certificate, or encouraged anyone to do so. My role is that of a representative, not a civil registrar,” he stated.
